Two goals from Gonzalo Castro helped Bayer Leverkusen record an emphatic 4-1 victory at Werder Bremen tonight, which moves Sami Hyypia's side up to second in the Bundesliga.

The midfielder opened the scoring in the 31st minute at the Weserstadion, shooting low past Bremen goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz. Bremen went close before the break with Kevin de Bruyne and Aaron Hunt missing chances, but the visitors led 1-0 at half time.

Castro extended Leverkusen's lead on 52 minutes, latching onto Lars Bender's through ball before firing home his second goal of the game.

Bremen pulled a goal back two minutes later when Nils Petersen headed in Hunt's cross from close range, before Hunt blazed a shot over from outside the penalty area.

Simon Rolfes restored Leverkusen's two-goal advantage with 16 minutes left and substitute Jens Hegeler added a fourth, set up by Andre Schurrle.

The win means Leverkusen are 10 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.